Miranda Hart and David Walliams have launched a production company, King Bert Productions. Photograph: PA

Miranda Hart and David Walliams have teamed up to launch their own independent production company, backed by the BBC’s commercial arm.

King Bert Productions, set up with comedy producer Jo Sargent – whose credits include Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders – is already adapting Walliams’ novel Boy in the Dress for BBC1 and producing the second series of his BBC1 comedy Big School.

BBC Worldwide will provide development funding for projects in return for the global distribution rights to the production company’s TV shows, but will not take an equity stake.

“We want to develop our own personal projects, and use our expertise to find and nurture new talent,” said Walliams.

The venture also plans to develop and promote emerging and established comedy performers and writers in conjunction with broadcasters.

Hart said: “I hope we become a company where new talent feel encouraged and supported to find their unique voice.”

There are two new sitcoms in the works with Channel 4, as well as a comedy for the BBC around two emerging comedians, Max and Ivan.

“I’m particularly keen that we work with broadcasters to provide platforms for the best British creative on- and off-screen talent,” said Sargent.

King Bert Productions also has Hart’s agent Conor McCaughan as a co-founder.

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